Better public services: reducing crime

What are our targets?

In 2012 the Government set targets for the public sector to meet by June 2017. These are the Better Public Services (BPS) targets. The justice sector is responsible for the Reducing Crime target, which includes reducing:

total crime by 20% by June 2018 (increased from 15% already exceeded at the end of 2014)

violent crime by 20% by June 2017

youth crime by 25% by June 2017

re-offending by 25% by June 2017

We are currently in the process of refreshing the BPS measures - more information can be found about the refreshed measures on the SSC website (external link).

The justice sector has made good progress towards reducing overall crime. However, the strong BPS results seen from 2011 to 2014 have not continued with the increases seen over the past two years. These increases have been driven by an increase in dwelling based vilent crime, which is commonly associated with family violence, along with an increase in burglary. Over the most recent quarter three of the four BPS measure have increased compared to the previous quarter (year ended December 2016).

Result 7: Reduce the rates of total crime by 20%, violent crime by 20% and youth crime by 25%

Progress for the year ended March 2017 compared to June 2011:

recorded crime rate decreased 13%

violent crime rate increase 3%

youth crime rate decreased 31%.

We have included two new supporting measures for the violent crime rate to identify the different patterns within violent crime:

violent crime in dwellings (increased 9% since June 2011)

violent crime in public places (decreased 17% since June 2011).

Youth crime has decreased so much across New Zealand that we are ahead of the 25% reduction target. However, it should be noted that this measure counts the number of youth appearing in court. These are the most serious youth offenders who reporesent only a small proportion of youth apprehended by Police.

Result 8: Reduce re-offending by 25%

This means 787 fewer offenders returning to Corrections management. The number of re-offenders each year has decreased 29% since June 2011.

Several factors have contributed to this decline, including the Policing Excellence programme, with its emphasis on alternative resolutions, and the Department of Corrections’ investment in enhancing rehabilitation services across the offender population.

The full impact of the roll-out of rehabilitation measures on re-offending is anticipated in the next two years.